Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-06-10
CHAMBER COMMERCE.
TEE ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS
YESTERDAY BvEHING.
An Exhibit Of the Work Of This Useful
Rnsiness Organization Election
Of officers, &C.

The annual meeting Of the Chamber OF
commerce was held Yesterday evening,
George A. Ainslie, Esq, in the chair. The
Presidents report was read, as follows;
RICHMOND, June 1, 1887.
10 the Chamber Of Commerce:
Genilemcn,-Twenty years ago the busi-
neSs-mCn of Richmond, Impressed With the
necessity f0v an organization which would
te representative in its character and evel
open for the discussion Of questions affect.
ing the prosperity OF the city, formed
the Chamber OF Commerce. Some OF the
most intelligent and public-spirited men
ibis city has ever had have given to II libe-
rally Of their time, talent, and means, aud
enabled it 10 prosecute work which,
though usually noiselCss, none the less
has been offectual in public good. As
mediator between the transportation lines
and complaining shippers; as constant
and Unwearying advocate of and helper in
the James-fiver improvement; as watch
or against oppressive merchants tax laws;
as an encoufager OF new enterprises. and
| as yOicine The business sentiment on nume-
| rous important occasions, this chamoer has
the night to claim tnat 1t has met the ex-
reclatcps Of its organizers and deserved
Ntutoi us supporters.
The public has within the year past shown
| an appreciation uever.so strongly exhibited
since the carly years OF It's OrgauiZltiOn, and
it, membership, which in June. 1886, was
eighty.SiX. is now over two hundred. 1t
cuebi really TO be FIVE hundred. With
| every additional member gained the cham
bcr Wldcns It's Influence and increases Its
| means oi usefulness.
The cllmter ought 10 look for ward to
having home in building Of It's own,
bui mean while every dollar that comes into
| IFS treasury can hc well invested In the eur.
T,nt work thst j., tn stimulating puOilc
spIit; in hGyin2 Richmond represented az
al impOrlant cOmmorcitl conventions; in
publishing document. advantageous to
cur industries: 10 securing from railroad
ond steamboat companies proper regard
| for cur rights; ia continuous solicitation
~ COnWC>S Tor adequate appropriations
| Tor the Improvement Of our river; in CIV
lrg Information b those seeking inVes'-
m,niS here, and generally in Keeping The
! advantages Of Richmond before our own
vcovlc sud lclore The world. 70 this end,
While expressing my gratitude for the sue
cess of Tie pat year, ! bOpe TO see suca
support gwen the chamber IN the future as
will double and treble ITS capacity for use
| iulne>s.
The report Of the treasurer gives our
| financial exhibit. During the year past the
| chamber has mjde very heavy expenditures
in the interest Of the public, and by the
provisions Of our new constitution change
| has taken place which pOstp)hts the June
| collections until Julc, and the October col.
lociions until January.
The report Of the secretary will give
| good idea OF the work Of the year. The
| board has bc!d twenty meetings and the
| chamber eight
The former constitution falling to meet
| the growing need, ~ the chamber 1t was
| revised by "a committee, Of which Judge
| Christian was chairman. In thus matter he
acted with that ability and plinstaklnG
| which characterize all his work.
The banquet Of the chamber given last
| November brought the members into social
| intercourse, and is always referred 10 n a
| pleasant occasion and rs having been pro-
ductiye Of substantial good.
The work Of the chamber and Colonel
| Rutiin I'm aid of the JameS-river improve
| mcnl was unusually great and unusually
| successful during tie year, but after the
! item Of SIP 500 was inserted in the bll
! and the blil passed both houses (many
| thanks 10 CONGRESSMAN Wise IT failed 10
| become law by reason OF the President
! Withholding his signature. 1t is not lit
! tlc remarkable that this chamber stands
solitary and alone in struggling TO get ala
! FOR the river improvement from the Federal
! Government Neither the State nor the city
officials seem 10 take any interest in the
! matter or raise a hand to secdre an apprI-
| prIaliCn. Now ia the time that deep water
! would be of the greatest value to Us. ~
| the Inter state Commerce Commissioners
= do. to MI H.
1 visions OF that bill, is it not reasonable TO
| think freight will be seeking the nearest
| Water.courses?
The city is steadily growing in wealth
( and population. The extension of our
! Strcet.railway affords our people access to
/ suburban bones, aud largely increases the
value OF such property.
The business OF the city, rs general
I thing, i not a. good 9s we desile TO see IL.
! Manufacturing especially seems TO sHtf.r,
many small Establishments finding it very
! Cinicut 10 keep going. This is, IN good
! mart. attributable 10 the lack OF encourage
mut from our home people.
Alany seem to prefer to bay Manufactured
articles out 81 The state, when it Il nd
mited that with deep water in our river
aud successful manufacturing Establishments
! ,his city would be a. prosperous rs any IN
| the country. As much aS practicable We
/ ought 10 sleud our money at home. We
| ought 10 take pride in our manufactures
| and do all that we can TO encourage them.
! The closer we stand together in our bust
! ness. the more the world al large will tbinS
! OF us. ard the more they will be disposed
| 10 aid us.
Nv thanks are due the board and officers
| of the body for their cordial support. Ihey
| have worked diligently and intelllgenily,
and TO their efforts the present satisfactory
| condition Of the chamber is attributable.
Very respectfully,
GEORGE 4. AINsLIE, President.
Received and fled.
TREAsURER's REPORT.
The annual report Of the treasurer
| showed all bills paid ana Sj3J.5G in hand.
| Received and filed.
| The secrctary's report was also read and
fled. All Of these Will be published IN
| pamphlet form.
! ELECTION OF OFFICERS, &C.
The chamber proceeded with the election
| Of officers with the following result (Gen-
| cral Joseph Il. Anderson, by request,
| casting the ballot of the chamber) :
| George \. AinSlie, president; Richard a.
| Dunlop, first yicc.preSident; George L'
| Christian, second yice-preSdeDt; w. ID.
| Chcsterman, secretary; John ii. Montague,
| treasurer. All Of these are present incum-
| beuts.
ON motion. the Chair appointed MeSsrS.
| :. II. Hawes, X. a. Dunlop, and y. Bar
| camin committee to nominate directors
and they having made their report, their
! -. a.. o,.o oloofp6 Nhp secretary being